M50 Manual

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Owner’s Manual

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Precautions

LocationUsing the unit in the following locations can result in a mal-

function.

• In direct sunlight

• Locations of extreme temperature or humidity

• Excessively dusty or dirty locations

• Locations of excessive vibration

• Close to magnetic fields

Power supplyPlease connect the designated AC adapter to an AC outlet

of the correct voltage. Do not connect it to an AC outlet of

voltage other than that for which your unit is intended.

Interference with other electrical devices

Radios and televisions placed nearby may experience

reception interference. Operate this unit at a suitable dis-

tance from radios and televisions.

Handling

To avoid breakage, do not apply excessive force to the

switches or controls.

Care

If the exterior becomes dir ty, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.

Do not use liquid cleaners such as benzene or thinner, or

cleaning compounds or flammable polishes.

Keep this manual

After reading this manual, please keep it for later reference.

Keeping foreign matter out of your equipment

Never set any container with liquid in it near this equip-

ment. If liquid gets into the equipment, it could cause a

breakdown, fire, or electrical shock.

Be careful not to let metal objects get into the equipment. If

something does slip into the equipment, unplug the ACadapter from the wall outlet. Then contact your nearest

Korg dealer or the store where the equipment was pur-

chased.

Handling of this product

This product contains precision components, and maymalfunction if you fail to observe the following precautions.

• Do not subject this product to vibration or impact.

Doing so may damage internal components and cause mal-functions.

• Do not use or store this product in locations of extremelylow or high temperatures, such as outdoors in winter or indirect sunlight in summer. Avoid moving this product between locations of dramatically different temperatures.

If a temperature difference occurs, water droplets may forminside the product. Continuing to use the product in thisstate may cause malfunctions, so you should wait severalhours before using the product.

• Do not use or store this product in locations of extremelyhigh humidity.

• Do not use or store this product in excessively dusty orsmoky locations.

Data handling

Incorrect operation or malfunction may cause the contents ofmemory to be lost, so we recommend that you save importantdata on media. Please be aware that Korg will accept noresponsibility for any damages which may result from loss ofdata.

* This product uses the T-Kernel source code in compliancewith the T-License of the T-Engine forum (www.t-engine.org).

* Apple and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered inthe US. and other countries.

* Windows XP and Windows Vista are registered trademarksof Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other counties.

* All other product and company names are trademarks orregistered trademarks of their respective holders.

THE FCC REGULATION WARNING (for USA)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a

Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits

are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference

in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate

radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the

instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. How-

ever, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular

installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or

television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off

and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or

more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to

which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Unauthorized changes or modification to this system can void the user’s

authority to operate this equipment.

Notice regarding disposal (for EU)

If

this “crossed-out wheeled bin” symbol is shown on

the product or in the operating manual, you must dis-

pose of the product in an appropriate way. Do not dis-

pose of this product along with your household trash.

By disposing of this product correctly, you can avoid

environmental harm or health risk. The correct method

of disposal will depend on your locality, so please contact the

appropriate local authorities for details.

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About this manual

The owner’s manuals and how to usethem

The manuals and how to use them

The M50 comes with the following operation manuals.

• M50 Owner’s Manual

• M50 Parameter Guide (PDF)

• M50 Installation Guide (PDF)

• M50 Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual (PDF)

The above PDF files are located in the “MANUALS”folder of the included CD-ROM. Driver operatingmanuals such as for the KORG USB-MIDI driver are

located in the same folder as the drivers.

M50 Owner’s Manual

Please read this first. It explains the names and functionsof each part of the M50, how to make connections, basicoperation, an overview of each mode, how to editsounds, and how to record on the sequencer. This guidealso explains the arpeggiator, effects, drum track, anddrum kits.

This also explains items you should check beforesuspecting a malfunction, error messages, andspecifications.

M50 Parameter Guide

This explains details of the M50’s parameters, organized by mode and page. Refer to this guide when you want tolearn more about an unfamiliar parameter.

M50 Installation Guide

This explains installation of KORG USB-MIDI Driver,and setup of the M50.

M50 Editor/Plug-In Editor Manual

This explains setup and use of M50 Editor and M50 Plug-In Editor.

Conventions in this manual

The M50 is available as two models: the 88-key M50-88and the 61-key M50-61. References in these manuals to“the M50” refer to all of these models collectively.

Abbreviations for the manuals: OM, PG

In the documentation, references to the manuals areabbreviated as follows.

OM:

Owner’s Manual

PG:

Parameter Guide

Procedure steps 1. 2. 3. …

These indicate the steps of a procedure.

Symbols , ,Note

,Tips

These symbols respectively indicate a caution, a MIDI-related explanation, a supplementary note, or a tip.

Example screen displays

The parameter values shown in the example screens ofthis manual are only for explanatory purposes, and maynot necessary match the values that appear in theDisplay of your instrument.

MIDI-related explanations

CC# is an abbreviation for Control Change Number.

In explanations of MIDI messages, numbers in square brackets [ ] always indicate hexadecimal numbers.

What is REMs * ?

(

R

esonant structure and E

lectronic circuitM

odeling S

ystem) is Korg’s proprietary technology fordigitally recreating the numerous factors that produceand influence a sound, ranging from the sound-production mechanisms of acoustic instruments and

electric/electronic musical instruments, to theresonances of an instrument body or speaker cabinet, thesound field in which the instrument is played, thepropagation route of the sound, the electrical andacoustic response of mics and speakers, and the changesproduced by vacuum tubes and transistors.

Thank you for purchasing the Korg M50 Music Workstation. To help you get the most out of your new instrument,please read this manual carefully.

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iv

Table of Contents

Handling of this product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Data handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Playing Programs and Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Listening to the demo songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Introduction to the M50. . . . . . . . . 7

Main Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Front and rear panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Rear panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Objects in the display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Basic Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

About the M50’s modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Basic operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Using Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Turning the power on/off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Connecting the AC adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Turning the power on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Turning the power off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Connecting audio equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Connecting a damper pedal, foot switch, or foot

pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Connecting the M50 to a computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Connecting MIDI devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Playing and editing Programs. . .27

Playing Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Selecting Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Using Controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Performing with the arpeggiator or drum track . . .29

Easy Program editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Simple editing using the sliders and knobs . . . . . . . 30

Using Tone Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Restoring settings you’ve edited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Saving your edits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Detailed Editing with Programs . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Basic oscillator settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Using LFOs and Envelopes (EGs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Using Alternate Modulation (AMS)

and the AMS Mixers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Controlling Pitch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Using Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Using the Amp section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Arpeggiator settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Drum Track settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Automatically importing a Program

into Sequence mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Playing and editingCombinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Playing combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Selecting Combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Performing with the arpeggiator or drum track . . .44

Using controllers to modify the sound. . . . . . . . . . . .44

Easy Combination editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Changing the program assigned to a timbre . . . . . . 45

Adjusting the mix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Simple editing using the knobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Saving a Combination you’ve edited . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Detailed Editing with Combinations . . . . . . . .47

A suggested approach for editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Restoring edited settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Layers, Splits, and Velocity Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

MIDI settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Altering Programs to fit within a Combination . . . . 50

Arpeggiator settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Drum Track settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Automatically importing a Combination

into Sequencer mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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Creating songs(Sequencer mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

About the M50’s Sequencer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Sequencer mode structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Functions of each switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Playing Songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

MIDI recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Preparations for recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Recording MIDI in real time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Step recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Recording variation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Recording patterns in real time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Song editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Creating an RPPR pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Creating RPPR data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

RPPR playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Realtime-recording an RPPR performance . . . . . . . .64

Creating and playing a Cue List . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Creating a cue list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Converting a cue list to a song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Saving your song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Using Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

An overview of the M50’s effects. . . . . . . . . . . 67

Effect I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Effects in each mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Routing effect settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Program Effects settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Using effects in Combinations and Songs . . . . . . . . .71

Dynamic modulation (Dmod) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Common FX LFO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Arpeggiator function . . . . . . . . . . 73

Using the arpeggiator while you play . . . . . . 73

Using the arpeggiator in Program mode . . . . . . . . . .73

Using the arpeggiator in Combination mode . . . . .76

Other settings for the arpeggiator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Linking the arpeggiator to program,

combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Arpeggiator synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Creating a user arpeggio pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Drum Track function . . . . . . . . . . .79

Performing with the Drum Track function . . 79

Using the Drum Track function in

Program mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Using the Drum Track function in

Combination mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80Other settings for the drum track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Drum track synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Creating drum track patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Settings for the entire M50 . . . . .83

How Global mode is structured . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Global settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Basic setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

MIDI Basic/Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Pedal and other controller settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Setting Category Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

External control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Using Drum Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

What’s a Drum Kit?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Loading & saving data . . . . . . . . .87

Saving data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Types of data that can be saved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Writing to internal memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Editing names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Saving to media (Media–Save) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Using the M50 as a data filer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Loading data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Data that can be loaded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Loading data from media

(Media–Load). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Media utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Formatting media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Specifying the save date and time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

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Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Restoring the factory settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Loading the preloaded data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Audio output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Programs and Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Songs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Arpeggiator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Drum Track function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Drum Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Damper pedal does not respond correctly . . . . . . 101

Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101Connections with a computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Included CD-ROM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Error and confirmation messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Specifications and options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Operating requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

MIDI Implementation Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

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Q u i c k S t a r t

P r o g r a m

C o m b

i n a t i o n

S e q u e n c e r

E f f e c t

A r p e g

g i o

D r u m T r a c k

G l o b a l

M e d i a

1

Quick Start

This Quick Start is provided for those who just want toget started trying out the sounds right away.

It explains how to set up the M50, how to selectprograms and control the sound, and how to listen tothe demo songs.

After you’ve finished reading this Quick Start section,please also take a look at the full explanations thatfollow.

Setup

Here’s how to connect the power cable and audiocables, and how to turn on the power.

You must use only the included AC adapter. Using

any other AC adapter may cause malfunctions.

Note: Make sure that the M50’s power switch is set toSTANDBY (the outward position).

1. Connect the plug of the included AC adapter tothe power connector on the M50’s rear panel.

2. Connect the power cable to the AC adapter.

3. Plug the power cable into an AC outlet.

4. To prevent the plug from being pulled outaccidentally, wrap the AC adapter cable throughthe cable hook located on the rear of the M50. Becareful not to bend the base of the plugunnecessarily.

Example of removing the cable from the cable hook

5. Connect the M50 to your mixer or monitor system.

Connect the M50’s AUDIO OUTPUT L/MONO and R jacks to your mixer or amplified monitor speakers.

If you’re monitoring through headphones, connectthem to the headphone jack located on the rear of the

M50. The headphones will output the same sound asthe AUDIO OUTPUT L/MONO and R jacks.

6. Lower the M50’s VOLUME slider.

Turn on your audio monitor system and set the volumeto a normal level.

7. Turn on the M50 by pressing the power switchlocated on the rear panel.

8. Raise the volume of the connected equipment toan appropriate level. Then gradually raise theM50’s VOLUME slider to adjust the volume asdesired.

AC POWER connector

POWER switch

VOLUME slider

R

L/

MONO

INPUT INPUT

PHONES

M50-61/88

HeadphonesPowered

monitors

Connecting the AC adapter

AC adapter

3 Power cable

1 Power connector

Power

switch

Be careful not to

bend this portion

excessively when

you wrap the

cable through the

cable hook.

4 Cable hook

2Plug into an

AC outlet

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Quick Start

2

Playing Programs andCombinations

With the factory settings, Program mode will beselected when you turn on the power. When you play

the keyboard, you’ll hear the sound of programnumber 000 in PROG Bank A.

Not e: If you don’t hear any sound when you play thekeyboard or press a chord trigger switches: Check theconnections once again. Also make sure that the M50’sVOLUME slider and the volume of your poweredspeakers or stereo amp are turned up appropriately.

Selecting Programs

If the display indicates a different mode, press theMODE PROG switch (LED lit) to enter Program mode.

1. The upper left of the display shows the name of

the current page, Prog P0: Play. This is the page inwhich you will normally play programs.

Play the keyboard or press a chord trigger switches tohear the sound.

Not e: If you are viewing a different page in the display,press the EXIT switch one or two times to take you back to the program name selection.

2. The large characters in the upper part of thedisplay will be highlighted.

These are the program number and program name(“Program Select”).

In this state, you can press theq

switch oru

switch to

select the program with the next higher or lowernumber.

You can also turn the VALUE dial to rapidly scrollthrough the programs.

3. Use the BANK SELECT A–GM switches to selectother banks of programs.

With the factory settings, contain preloaded programs.Select and play these programs to hear their sounds.

For details on the programs in each bank, please see“Overview: Program Banks” on page 28.

4. Press the popup button located at the left of“Program Select” in the display.

A list of the programs in each bank will appear.

Use the tabs located at the left to select the desired bank.

Then press a program within the menu to select it. Byusing the scroll bar located below the menu you canview the other programs in that bank that are notcurrently displayed.

You can press theq

switch oru

switch to select theprogram with the next higher or lower number.

When you’ve chosen the program you want to play,press the OK button or the ENTER switch.

5. There are several other ways to select programs,but here we’ll explain how to select programsusing categories such as “keyboard,” “organ,”“bass,” or “drums.”

Press the Category Select popup button in the display.This is the rectangular button located above theprogram name.

The Category/Program Select menu will appear,showing a list of the programs for each category. Pressthe tabs located at the left and right to select the

desired category.Then press a program in the menu to select it.

1

2

2 2

4

5 3

2

Bank number

ProgramSelect popupbutton

BANK SELECT A–GMswitches

VALUE dial

MODE PROG switchesCategory Selectpopup buttonProgram Select

PROG P0: Play

q /u switches

EXIT switch

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Playing Programs and Combinations

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You can press theq

switch oru

switch to select theprogram with the next higher or lower number.

When you’ve chosen the program you want to play,press the OK button or the ENTER switch.

Categories also have sub-categories, and you can pressthe Jump to Sub button of the Category/Program

Select menu to choose programs from a sub-categorylist.

Selecting combinations

A combination consists of up to sixteen programs thatare split and/or layered. A combination also allowsyou to use two arpeggiators (a program allows onlyone), letting you hear more complex sounds than aprogram.

1. Press the MODE COMBI switch (the LED willlight) to enter Combination mode.

2. The upper left of the display shows the name of

the current page, Combi P0: Play. This is the pagein which you will normally play combinations.

Play the keyboard or press a chord trigger switches tohear the sound.

Note: If you are viewing a different page in the display,press the EXIT switch one or two times to take you back to the combination name selection.

3. The large characters in the upper part of thedisplay will be highlighted.

These are the combination number and combinationname (“Combination Select”).

In this state, you can press theq

switch oru

switch toselect the program with the next higher or lowernumber.

You can turn the VALUE dial to rapidly scroll throughthe programs.

4. Use the BANK SELECT A–D switches to selectcombinations of other banks.

With the factory settings, contain preloaded programs.Select and play these combinations to hear theirsounds.

5. As in Program mode, you can select combinationsfrom the menu by bank or by category.

As described in steps 4 and 5 of “Selecting Programs”

on page 2, go ahead and select and play combinationsin the same way as you did for programs.

Using controllers to modify the sound

The M50 has numerous controllers.

The result will differ for each Program andCombination, so try them out to hear what happens.For details on these controllers, please see “UsingControllers” on page 29.

1. In the left side of the M50’s panel, there are fourswitches and four knobs.

This is called the “control surface,” and lets youperform various types of control such as editingsounds, or sending MIDI messages to external devices.

For example, go ahead and press the REALTIMECONTROL switch (the LED will light).

Operating the each knobs will control the frequencycutoff, resonance, and intensity, or any otherparameters you specify.

The display can show the function and values of thecontrol surface. To view this, press the Control Surfacetab located in the lower right of the display.

When you operate the controllers, the objects in thedisplay will move accordingly.

Note: Even if you’ve modified the sound, you canrestore the program to its saved condition.

COMBI P : Play

Combination Select popup button

Bank

number

Category Select popup button

Combination Select

* The diagram shown is for M50-61

Control surface

Joystick SW1 and

SW2 switches

REALTIME

CONTROL switch

Chord trigger switches 1–4

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Quick Start

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You can recall the saved settings by holding down theRESET CONTROLS switch and turning each knob ofthe control surface (see page 21).

2. Below the control surface there are four chordtrigger switches.

You can use these to trigger chords (of up to eight

notes).This is a useful way to play chords, or to use thearpeggiator. You can easily assign notes or chords tothe switches (see page 21).

Performing with the arpeggiator

The arpeggiator is a function that automaticallygenerates arpeggios (broken chords). A typicalarpeggiator generates an arpeggio from a chord thatyou play on the keyboard.

You can use the four knobs of the control surface tomodify the arpeggio that is generated.

1. Press the ARP ON/OFF switch (the key will light).

When you play the keyboard, the arpeggiator willgenerate an arpeggio.

Not e: With the factory settings, the arpeggiator willautomatically turn on when you select certainprograms.

2. Press the control surface ARP switch, and operateknob 1 (Gate), knob 2 (Velocity), knob 3 (Length),and knob 4 (Octave).

Knob 1 (GATE) changes the duration of thearpeggiated notes.

Knob 2 (VELOCITY) changes the loudness of the

arpeggiated notes.

Knob 3 (LENGTH) changes the length of the arpeggiopattern.

Knob 4 (OCTAVE) changes the range of pitches inwhich the arpeggio is generated.

When a knob is in the center position (12 o’clock), thesettings will have the values that are stored in theprogram.

Not e: Depending on the program that’s selected,operating knob 4 may not produce any effect.

3. Adjust the tempo of the arpeggio.

You can adjust the tempo either by turning the TEMPOknob or by pressing the TAP TEMPO switch severaltimes at the desired interval.

Performing with the Drum Track

This feature provides an easy way to play a widevariety of Drum Track patterns using the M50’s high-quality drum programs. Playing a Program orCombination along with Drum Track patterns is a

convenient way to come up with phrases or work outthe structure of your song.

1. Select Combination mode or Program mode.

For this example, press the MODE PROG switch toselect Program mode, and access the Prog P0: Play–Main page. If another page is displayed, you’ll need topress the EXIT switch one or two times.

2. Press the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch.

The ON/OFF switch will be lit or blinking. This willdepend on the setting of the program.

If it’s lit, the Drum Track pattern has begun playing.Press the ON/OFF switch once again to stop.

If it’s blinking, the Drum Track pattern will start whenyou play the keyboard, touch a chord switch, or whena MIDI note-on is received.

3. To change the Drum Track pattern, use “PatternBank” and “Pattern No.” to select the desiredpattern.

Not e: You can create your own original Drum Trackpatterns (see PG page 208).

4. Use “Drum Track Program” to select the programthat will be played by the Drum Track pattern.

Not e: Only programs in category number 15 (Drums)can be selected.

PatternBank/No.

Drum Track Program

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Listening to the demo songs

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Listening to the demo songs

Loading the demo song data

1. Press the MODE GLOBAL switch (the LED will

light) to enter Global mode.2. Access the Global P0: Basic Setup page.

If another page is displayed, press the EXIT switch.

3. Press the menu button in the upper right of thedisplay, and choose “Load Preload/Demo Data.”

4. In the “Kind” eld, choose “All (Preload PCG andDemo Songs).”

When you execute loading, the preloaded data and thedemo song data will be loaded.

If you’ve edited a preloaded program orcombination, or created one from scratch,executing this Load operation will overwrite yourdata; i.e., your changes will be lost. Before loading

the Preload PCG data, save your programs on anSD card (commercially available). (See PGpage 260)

5. Press the OK button or ENTER switch.

A dialog box will ask you for confirmation.

Press the OK button or ENTER switch once again toload the data.

Never turn off the power while data is beingloaded.

If the Memory Protected dialog appears, press theSystem Pref. tab and clear the check mark from theMemory Protect Song setting. Then load the dataagain.

Playing the demo songs

1. Press the MODE SEQ switch (the LED will light)to enter Sequencer mode.

2. Access the P0: Play/REC– Program T01–08 page.

If this page is not displayed, you’ll need to press the

EXIT switch a few times.

3. Let’s start by listening to song S000.

Verify that song S000 is selected. If another song isselected, press the song name display area (SongSelect) to highlight it. Then press the numeric key 0,and then the ENTER switch.

4. Press the SEQUENCER START/STOP switch.

The LED will blink, and the song will begin playing back.

5. If you want to stop playback mid-way through thesong, press the START/STOP switch once again.

6. Let’s listen to the next song.

Press the song name display area (Song Select). Pressthe numeric key 1, and then press the ENTER switch.(Song “S001” will be selected.)

Alternatively, you can press the round button (SongSelect popup) located to the left of the song name, anda list of song names will appear. Press one of the songnames to select a song.

7. Press the SEQUENCER START/STOP switch tobegin playback. To stop playback, press theSTART/STOP switch once again.

The demo song will not be retained when the

power is turned off, but you can load it again atany time.

Popup

Track Select

Song Select

Meter Tempo

Program Select,& Popup

Category

Track 2

Solo

Play/ Mute/ Rec

Track 1

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Quick Start

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Playing back a cue list

Songs can be assigned to a cue list, and will playbackin the specified order. You can also specify the numberof times that each song will be repeated. Here’s how toplay back the demo songs assigned to a cue list.

1. Access the P11: Cue List page.

Press the PAGE SELECT switch to access the Seq PageSelect page. Press “P11 Cue List” in the display.

2. Press the SEQUENCER START/STOP switch.

You will hear the songs in the list in the assigned order.If you want to stop playback before you reach the endof the list, press the START/STOP switch once again.

Performing with RPPR

In Sequencer mode, the RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording) function allows you to assign a presetpattern or user pattern (and a track to play it) to eachkey.

This way, you can play a pattern simply by pressingthe key to which it is assigned. You can also record theresulting playback.

The demo songs you loaded contain data that uses theRPPR function. Here’s how you can use it.

1. Access the P0: Play/REC– Program T01–08 page,and select S001: Electronista.

For details, refer to steps 6 and 7 on the precedingpage.

2. Make sure that the “RPPR” check box is checked.

If this is checked, RPPR will operate.

If this is unchecked, RPPR will not operate.

3. Press a key C#2 or above.The pattern assigned to that key will begin playing. Apattern such as a drum pattern or bass phrase etc. can be assigned to each of the seventy-two keys C#2–C8(indicated in the illustration as Pattern Assignable).Keys that are not assigned will play normally.

In some cases, the pattern will continue playing evenafter you release the key. If so, you can stop playback by pressing that key once again, or by playing any keyC2 or below (indicated in the illustration as ShutdownKeys).

This completes our quick start.

Of the M50’s wide range of functionality, this operation

guide explains how to use some of the most typicaloperations. We highly recommend that you take thetime to read it completely.

RPPRcheckbox

88 Keys

61 Keys

Shutdown KeysC-1 ... C2

RPPR key mapping

Pattern AssignableC#2 ... C 8

C-1 G9

Pattern U22 Track01 (Drums Program)Pattern U21 Track01 (Drums Program)Pattern U20 Track01 (Drums Program)Pattern U19 Track01 (Drums Program)Pattern U18 Track01 (Drums Program)Pattern U17 Track04 (Percussion Program)Pattern U16 Track04 (Percussion Program)

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7

Introduction to the M50

Main Features

EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis)The M50 is based on the same EDS (EnhancedDefinition Synthesis) found in the M3, delivering richand vivid sound.

Each voice has two oscillators (allowing four-stagevelocity switching/crossfading/layering) and can useup to eight (stereo) multisamples, up to four filters(two filters per oscillator with four modes and fourroutings), two amps, five LFOs, and five EGs, allavailable simultaneously.

The oscillator section provides a total of 1,077multisamples (including seven stereo multisamples)sampled at 48 kHz, as well as 1,609 drum samples(including 116 stereo drum samples), giving you a totalof 256 Mbytes of sample data (when considered as 16- bit linear data). These PCM sources are available foruse in the oscillator section via four-way velocityswitching/crossfading/layering to create a broadrange of expressive, high-quality sounds.

The filter section - so vital to creative sound design -lets you simultaneously use two filters for eachoscillator. Filter types include low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-reject (notch). You can use thetwo filters in any of four routings: single, serial,parallel, or 24 dB mode.

The amp section provides a driver circuit that adds

edge and character to the sound.The key tracking generator allows the filtering to varyaccording to the keyboard range; you can apply subtlefiltering for convincing simulation sounds, oraggressive filtering that produces drastic changes infiltering as you play up or down the keyboard.

The M50 takes advantage of its lavish amount ofavailable processing power to produce ultra-fast andultra-smooth EGs (envelope generators) and LFOs.

EGs allow you to specify how the sound develops overtime, from its onset to its end. Each EG stage (attack,decay, slope, and release), gives you detailed controlover how the tone and volume change over time, andmake it possible to program anything from simulatedacoustic sounds to vintage synthesizer sounds with theutmost detail.

Korg’s AMS (Alternate Modulation Sources) providesa rich array of modulation possibilities, with 50different modulation sources that you can use tocontrol the sound in complex ways. The M50 takes thisclassic Korg feature even further, via the AMS Mixers.These let you create even more detailed modulationdesigns by mixing two modulation sources together,multiplying one modulation source by another, ormodifying the shape of the modulation source invarious ways.

Programs, Drum Tracks, and each of the sixteen

timbres/tracks has its own three-band EQ, letting youmake detailed adjustments to the tonal character.

To let you shape the final character of the overallsound, the effect section provides up to five inserteffects, two master effects, and one total effect. In

addition to delay and reverb, a total of 170 high-qualityeffects are available, including modulation-type effectssuch as chorus, phaser, and flanger; dynamic-typeeffects such as compressor and limiter; and amp-modeling effects generated using Korg’s proprietary“REMS” modeling technology. There are also twocommon LFOs that can be shared between differentmodulation effects. For example, you can createsophisticated effects such as using a single commonLFO to synchronize the modulation frequency of aphaser and a flanger used on different timbres. Effectdynamic modulation (Dmod) lets you control thesound or the effects in a wide variety of ways, rangingfrom the subtle to the dramatic.

Drum Track function

The Drum Track function lets you listen to drumpatterns while you construct the outline of your song.You can easily select the M50’s built-in patterns orcreate your own, and then start the pattern from aspecified region of the keyboard or by playing avelocity higher than a specified threshold.

This function is also useful for anything from realtimeperformance to generating sketches for songproduction

Enhanced Sequencing

The heart of any music production system is thesequencer. The M50’s sequencer lets you record 16MIDI tracks, up to 128 songs, and 210,000 notes. With ahigh resolution of 1/480, every timing nuance of yourperformance will be captured accurately. You can usethe Cue List function to create your song section bysection and then play it back as a medley in the formyou want.

Auto Song Setup function

Auto Song Setup takes care of many assignment androuting tasks automatically, so that the sequencer is

armed with programs, combinations, effects, drumtrack and arpeggiator settings making it easy to createthe basic tracks at the core of your song.

Dual polyphonic arpeggiator

Five preset arpeggio patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1,ALT2, RANDOM) and 1,028 user arpeggio patterns are built-in.

In addition to providing conventional arpeggiatorfunctions, the polyphonic arpeggiator of the M50 canrespond to the pitches or timing at which you play thekeyboard, and produce a diverse range of chords orphrases. This can be used to play a variety of drum

phrases (the “Fixed Note Mode” is ideal for drums), bass phrases, or guitar and keyboard backing riffs. Thearpeggiator is also effective for use with subtly movingpads, synth sounds, or sound effects.

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In Combination mode, and Sequencer mode, the M50provides dual arpeggiators so you can simultaneouslyplay two arpeggio patterns. You can apply separatearpeggio patterns to the drum and bass programs, oruse keyboard splits or velocity to switch betweenarpeggio patterns for an even more dynamicperformance.

Display

The M50 features Korg’s exclusive TouchViewgraphical user interface. By simply touching thedisplay, you can efficiently and intuitively access theM50’s enormous wealth of parameters. The crisp 320 x240 pixel display provides excellent visibility.

Chord trigger switch

The four chord trigger switches can trigger single notesor chords (of up to eight notes), and are a useful way toplay chords, or to control the arpeggiator performance.You can easily assign notes or chords to the chordtrigger switches as desired.

Control surface

The four knobs of the control surface give you greaterexpressive power when using realtime controlfunctions to create and control your sounds. Alongwith the chord trigger switches, you can use theseknobs as an external mode setup for controlling anexternal MIDI device.

Editor, Plug-In Editor

The bundled “M50 Editor” and “M50 Plug-In Editor”

software are applications that let you edit M50 soundssuch as programs, combinations, and drum kits fromyour computer.

“M50 Editor” is a stand-alone editor. “M50 Plug-InEditor” supports VST, Audio Units, and RTAS formats,allowing you to use the M50 as if it were a plug-ininstrument in your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)software or other host application.

Not e: The multisample and preset pattern list have been updated in version 1.0.1 of M50 Editor/Plug-InEditor. In order to maintain compatibility of thedisplay in the edit window, please download and usethe most recent version of the editor.

You can download the most recent versions of theeditor, plug-in editor, and Korg USB-MIDI driver fromthe following website.

Korg website: “http://www.korg.com/”

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Front and rear panels Front panel

9


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Front and rear panels

Front panel

1. Volume

VOLUME slider

This slider adjusts the volume of the AUDIO OUTPUTL/MONO, R outputs, as well as the volume of theheadphone jack. (See page 23)

2. SW1, 2 and Joystick

SW1 and SW2

These switches are used to control the programs oreffect parameters, or to turn the joystick lock functionon/off. (See page 19)

Joystick

You can control synthesis parameters or effectparameters by moving the joystick up/down/left/right. (See page 19)

3. Control Surface

The control surface consists of the four knobs locatedto the left of the display, the three REALTIMECONTROL, EXTERNAL, and ARP switches, and theRESET CONTROLS switch that resets the function ofthese controls.

You can use these as realtime controllers to modify thesound, as external controllers to transmit MIDImessages to an external MIDI device, or to control thearpeggiator.

As explained below, you can use the front panelCONTROL ASSIGN switches to switch between the

various control surface functions. You can also viewand edit the control surface settings in the display (P0–8: Control Surface page in each mode).

CONTROL ASSIGN:

Knobs 1–4

The functions of these four knobs will change based onthe REALTIME CONTROL, EXTERNAL, and ARPswitches, as described below.For more details, please see “Control Surface knobs”on page 20.

REALTIME CONTROL switch

When you press this switch, knobs 1–4 will modify thesound and effects. You can press this switch repeatedlyto cycle between different control functions. (Seepage 20, and page 30)

EXTERNAL switch

When you press this switch, knobs 1–4 and chordtrigger switches 1–4 will transmit MIDI messages to anexternal MIDI device. You can press this switchrepeatedly to cycle between different control functions.(See page 85, and PG page 224)

ARP switch

When you press this switch, knobs 1–4 will control thearpeggiator settings. (See page 73)

RESET CONTROLS switch

This resets the controllers of the control surface,returning them to the saved values or default values.

For details, please see “Resetting the controllersettings” on page 21.

2

3 7 8 9

4 5 1 1 1 2 1 31 06

1

* The diagram shown is for M50-61

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4. DRUM TRACK

DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch

This switch turns the Drum Track function on or off.

When the DRUM TRACK ON/OFF switch is off (the

LED will go dark), pressing this switch will make theLED light or blink. (See page 79)

5. Arpeggiator

ARP ON/OFF switch

This switch turns the arpeggiator on/off. The switchwill be lit if the arpeggiator is on. (See page 73)

6. Chord trigger switch

SW 1…4

When you press a chord trigger switch, the assignedsingle note or chord (up to eight notes) will sound. (Seepage 21)

CHORD ASSIGN switch

Use this switch to assign single notes or chords to thechord trigger switches. (See page 21)

7. Display

Display

The TouchView display features simple touch control

and selection of numerous features and parameters.(See page 12)

Contrastknob

This knob adjusts the contrast of the display for the best viewing from any angle or under changing lightconditions.

8. Mode

COMBI, PROG, SEQ, GLOBAL, MEDIA switches

M50 has five different operational modes, each oneoptimized for a specific set of functions.

Press one of these switches to enter the correspondingmode.

For details, please see “Selecting modes” on page 16.

9. PROG/COMBI BANK

A, B, C, D, E, GM switches

These switches select program banks A–GM andcombination banks A–D (see page 28, and page 44).You can also use these switches to select the bank oftimbre programs in a combination, or the bank of trackprograms in a song (see page 45, and page 55).

10. VALUE controller

Use this controller to edit the parameter that’s selectedin the display.

VALUE slider

Incq and Decu switchesVALUE dial

0–9, –, ., and ENTER switches

ENTER switch

Together, these controls specify and confirm the valueof the selected parameter. (See page 17)

COMPARE switch

Compares your current sound edits to the sound before it was edited.

For details, please see “Compare function” on page 18.

11. PAGE SELECT, EXIT

PAGE SELECT switch

When you press this switch, a list of the pages withinthe selected mode will appear in the display. Press the button of the desired page. (See page 16)

EXIT switch

Press this switch to return to the main page of thecurrent mode. (See page 17)

12. Sequencer

The switches in this section are used for operations inSequencer mode, such as recording and playback (seepage 52). The REC/WRITE switch is also used to savea program or combination (see page 88), or when usingthe Auto Song Setup function (see page 60).

PAUSE switch

switch

LOCATE switch

REC/WRITE switch

START/STOP switch

13. TEMPO controls

TEMPO knob

This knobs adjusts the tempo of the arpeggiator, drumtrack, or internal sequencer.

TEMPO LED

This LED will blink at quarter-note intervals of thecurrent tempo.

TAP TEMPO switchBy pressing (or tapping) this switch on the beat, youcan enter the tempo used by the arpeggiator, drumtrack, or internal sequencer (see page 21).

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Rear panel

1. Power supply

Be sure to see “Turning the power on/off” on page 23 and follow the correct procedure described there.

Power switchThis switch turns the power on/off. (See page 23)

AC adapter connector

The included AC adapter is connected here. (Seepage 1 and page 23)

Connections must be made with the power turnedoff. Please be aware that careless operation maydamage your speaker system or causemalfunctions.

Cable hook

Use this to secure the cable of the included AC adapter.After connecting the AC adapter, loop the cable aroundthe hook located on the M50’s rear panel so that thecable won’t get pulled out inadvertently. Leave enoughslack on the plug end so that you can disconnect it ifyou want to. For details, please see “Setup” on page 1.

Be careful not to bend the base of the plug anymore than necessary.

2. AUDIO OUTPUTS

AUDIO OUTPUT L/MONO jack

These are the main stereo audio outputs. Use theVOLUME slider to adjust the volume. (See page 24)

PHONES jack

Connect your headphones here.

This jack will output the same signal as the AUDIOOUTPUT L/MONO and R jacks.

The headphone volume is controlled by the VOLUMEslider.

3. PEDALS

You can connect a damper pedal, foot switch, and footpedal to these jacks. This gives you a broader range offunctions and effects to control. (See page 25)

ASSIGNABLE PEDAL jack ASSIGNABLE SWITCH jack DAMPER jack

4. MIDI

MIDI lets you connect the M50 to a computer or otherMIDI devices, for sending and receiving notes,controller gestures, sound settings, and so on. (Seepage 26)

MIDI IN connectorMIDI OUT connector

5. SD

SD card slot

You can insert an SD card here, and use it to save/loadM50 programs, combinations, or song data. (Seepage 91)

6. USB

USB connector(for connecting to computer)

You can connect your computer to this connector.Using a single USB cable, your M50 can send andreceive MIDI information directly to and from acomputer, without requiring a MIDI interface. (Seepage 26)

Note: The USB connector of the M50 is only able totransmit and receive MIDI data.

123456

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Objects in the displayThe M50 uses Korg’s TouchView graphical userinterface.

By touching on objects shown in the display, you canselect pages, set parameter values, rename programsand combinations, write data, and perform many otheroperations.

a: Current page

This indicates the current page within the selectedmode.

Beginning at the left, this area shows the mode name,

page number: name, and tab name.

b: Tab

Most pages are divided into two or more tabs.

c: Parameters

The parameters for various settings are shown in thedisplay.

d: Edit cell

When you touch a parameter in the display, theparameter or parameter value will usually behighlighted (displayed in reverse highlighting). This iscalled the edit cell, and the highlighted item will beavailable for editing.

For details on how to edit the value, please see“Selecting a parameter and editing the value” onpage 17.

e: Check box

Each time you press a check box, it alternates between

the checked (red) and unchecked states.

The parameter will be active if it is checked, andinactive if it is unchecked.

f: Popup button (1)

When this button is pressed, a popup menu willappear, showing the parameter values that areavailable for selection.

To enter the parameter value, press the desired valuein the popup menu.

* Popup menu

Pin

This switches the popup menudisplay between locked andunlocked.

When locked, the pin will be shownclosed, and the popup menu willremain displayed even after youpress a parameter value. Whenunlocked, the pin will be shownopened, and the popup menu willclose immediately when you press a

parameter value.

g: Popup button (2)

When you press this button, a tabbed menu willappear.

To close a tabbed menu, press the OK button or Cancel button.

Scroll bar

Use this when you need to see parameter values thatextend beyond what can be shown in the display atone time.

h: Menu command button

* Menu

When this button is pressed, a list of menu commandswill appear.

The menu commands that appear will differdepending on the currently selected page.

You can also select up to ten menu commands byholding down the ENTER switch and pressing anumeric key 0–9. The menu will close when you pressthe display at a location other than the menu, or whenyou press the EXIT switch.

g: Popup button (2)a: Current page

f: Popupbutton (1)

e: Check box

b: Tabc: Parametersd: Edit cell

h: Menucommandbutton

Mode name Page nu mber Tab name

Pin

Press here to scroll to left or right.

Press here and slide to left orright to scroll to the desiredlocation.

Press here to scroll to thecorresponding location.

Menucommandbutton

Menu button

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Front and rear panels Objects in the display

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* Dialog box

A dialog box may appear, depending on the currentlyselected menu command.

* Text edit button

When you press this button, the text edit dialog boxappears for changing the names of Programs,Combinations, Songs, etc. For details, please see“Editing names” on page 91.

Cancel and OK buttons

After performing the other operations in the dialog box, you can execute the command by pressing the OK button. To cancel without executing, press the Cancel button. (The operation will occur when you press andrelease the button.) The dialog box will close.

The EXIT switch corresponds to the Cancel button,

Done button, and Exit button.

j: Radio buttons

Press a radio button to select one value from two ormore choices.

k: Other objects

To modify the parameter value of an object shaped likea slider or knob, first touch the object, and then use theVALUE controllers to modify the value. There are also buttons which execute an operation when they arepressed and released, such as Done, Copy, and Insert(similar to the OK and Cancel buttons explained under“* Dialog box,” above).

Toggle buttons

This type of button will change its function or switchon/off each time it is pressed.

Play/Rec/Mute button (Sequencer mode)

Solo On/Off button (Sequencer mode)

On/Off button for Effect

Text edit button

Cancel button OK button

e: Check box

j: Radiobuttons

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Basic Information

About the M50’s modes

The M50 has numerous functions that let you play andedit programs or combinations, record and play backsequence data, and manage media. These functions aregrouped into “modes.” The M50 has five modes.

Program mode

Programs are the basic sounds of M50.

In Program mode, you can:

• Select and play Programs

• Use one arpeggiator in your performance.

• Play back Drum Track patterns while you performusing a Program.

• Edit ProgramsYou can use the control surface and the ToneAdjust function to easily edit the program.You can adjust the parameters and settings of theoscillators, filters, amps, EGs, LFOs, effects,arpeggiator, drum track, etc.You can use up to five insert effects, two mastereffects, and one total effect.The oscillators can use any of the 1,077multisamples (including seven stereo)

• Plus, you can create drum programs using drumkits (as created in Global mode)

Combination modeCombinations are sets of up to 16 programs that can beplayed simultaneously, letting you create sounds morecomplex than a single Program. In Combination mode,you can:

• Select and play Combinations

• Use two arpeggiators in your performance.

• Use one or more timbres to play back the patternsin the drum track.

• Use the M50 as a 16-track multitimbral tonegenerator

• Edit CombinationsYou can assign Programs to each of the 16 Timbres,each with separate volume, pan, EQ, and keyboardand velocity zones; make settings for effects,arpeggiator, drum track.

• Plus, you can use up to five insert effects, twomaster effects, and one total effect.

Sequencer mode

Sequencer mode lets you record, playback, and editMIDI tracks. You can:

• Use the sixteen-track MIDI sequencer to record andplay back songs.

• Record a single MIDI track at a time, or record asmany as all sixteen tracks simultaneously. You canalso record exclusive messages.

• Record using two arpeggiators.

• Use one or more tracks to play back the patterns inthe drum track.

• Use up to 128 songs, with 671 preset patterns and100 user patterns for each song.

• Use the M50 as a 16-track multi-timbral soundmodule.

• Use the Tone Adjust function to easily edit theprogram of each track.

• Use up to five insert effects, two master effects, andone total effect.

• Record patterns and assign them to individualkeys, using RPPR (Realtime Pattern Play/Recording)

• Create user Drum Track patterns.

Global mode

Global mode lets you make overall settings for the

entire M50, and edit drum kits, arpeggio patterns. InGlobal mode, you can:

• Make settings that affect the entire M50, such asmaster tune and global MIDI channel

• Create user drum kits, and user scales

• Create drum kits using drumsamples

• Create user arpeggio patterns

• Rename program, and combination categories

• Set the function of the assignable pedals andassignable switches

• Transmit MIDI System Exclusive data dumps

Media modeYou can save or load data using an SD card. In Mediamode, you can:

• Save and load Programs, Combinations, Songs, andGlobal setup data

• Format SD card, copy and rename files, etc.

• Export and import sequences to and from SMF(Standard MIDI Files)

• Use the Data Filer function to save or load MIDISystem Exclusive data

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MEDIA MODE

IFX 1

IFX 5

MFX 1

MFX 2

TFX

Insert / Master / Final EffectOSC 1

P IT CH 1 F ILT ER 1AMP1/

DRIVER1

OSC 2

P IT CH 2 F ILT ER 2AMP2/

DRIVER2

PROGRAM

TRACK 1

TRACK 8

TRACK 2

TRACK 3

TRACK 4

TRACK 5

TRACK 6

TRACK 7 PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

SEQUENCER

TRACK 9

TRACK 16

TRACK 10

TRACK 11

TRACK 12

TRACK 13

TRACK 14

TRACK 15

COMBINATIONGLOBAL MODE

DS2 Drumsample

DS1 DrumsampleKeyAssign

DRUM KIT

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

MS1 (Multisample)

MS2 (Multisample)

MS3 (Multisample)

MS4 (Multisample)

Drum Kit

MS1 (Multisample)

MS2 (Multisample)

MS3 (Multisample)

MS4 (Multisample)

Drum Kit

Arpeggiator B

Arpeggiator A

Drum Track

Drum Track

IFX 1

IFX 5

MFX 1

MFX 2

TFX

Insert / Master / Final EffectTIMBRE1 1

TIMBRE8

TIMBRE2

TIMBRE3

TIMBRE4

TIMBRE5

TIMBRE6

TIMBRE7 PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM TIMBRE9

TIMBRE16

TIMBRE10

TIMBRE11

TIMBRE12

TIMBRE13

TIMBRE14

TIMBRE15 PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

PROGRAM

Arpeggiator

Arpeggiator B

Arpeggiator A

IFX 1

IFX 5

MFX 1

MFX 2

TFX

Insert / Master / Final EffectMIDI TRACK 1...16

DS4 Drumsample

DS3 Drumsample

PCG / SNG

PCG

PCG

DrumTrack

DRUMS PROGRAM

ARPEGGIO PATTERN

Preset Drum Track Pattern

User Drum Track Pattern

DRUM KIT

Preset Pattern: P0 - 4

User Pattern

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Basic operationsAfter you’ve turned on the M50, here’s how to perform basic operations such as selecting modes and pages.

Selecting modes• In order to use a particular function on the M50,

you must first select the appropriate mode.

Press one of the front panel mode switches to enter thecorresponding mode.

Selecting combinations, programs, orsongs

Normally you will use the P0 screen page when youplay a combination or program. This screen also letsyou edit the sound in simple ways.

By pressing the EXIT switch several times you canaccess Combination Select or Program Select, whichdisplays the combination name or program name. Usea VALUE controller such as thequ switches or theVALUE dial to select a number, and use PROG BANKA–GM or COMBI BANK A–D to change banks. Fordetails, please see “Selecting Programs” on page 27 or

“Selecting Combinations” on page 43. For details onselecting songs, see “Playback” on page 53.

Selecting pages and tabs

Each mode has a large number of parameters, whichare grouped into pages. These pages are furthersubdivided by tabs; with up to eight tabs per page.

• Make sure that the desired mode is selected.

For details on selecting a mode, see “Selectingmodes,” above.

In this explanation we’ll use Combination mode asan example.

Press the COMBI switch.

Not e: The Combi P0: Play page will appear. (This isshown in the upper left of the display.)

Selecting a page

In Combination, Program, Global, and Sequencermodes, you can press the PAGE SELECT switch toview a list of the pages that make up that mode.

1. Press the PAGE SELECT switch.

The page select menu will appear.

The page selected before you pressed the PAGESELECT switch will be greyed as an indication.

2. Press the page that you want to view.

As an example here, try selecting “P4 Zone/Delay.”The P4: Zone/Delay– Key Z T01–08 page will appear.

Not e: The page that appears will be showing the tabthat you most recently selected.

Using the PAGE SELECT switch plus the numerickeys 0–9 to access different pages

• Hold down the PAGE SELECT switch and usenumeric keys 0–9 to specify the page number youwant to view.

The specified page number will appear. The pagethat appears will be showing the tab that you mostrecently selected.

Not e: In pages consisting of multiple pages such as P5–1, P5–2, P8–1, and P8–2, the first page (P5–1, or P8–1)will be selected.

COMBI switch: Combination mode

PROG switch: Program mode

SEQ switch: Sequencer mode

GLOBAL switch: Global mode

MEDIA switch: Media mode

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Using the EXIT switch to move between pages

If you’re in a page other than page 0 (e.g., Prog P0:Play) of each mode, pressing this switch will take youto page 0.

This switch makes it easy to return to the main page ofthe current mode:

• Press it once to go to the previously-selected tab onthe main P0: Play page (Play/REC page inSequencer mode).

• Press it again to go to the first tab on the main P0:Play page (such as the main Program Play page). Ifyou had previously selected a parameter on thispage, that parameter will be selected.

• Press it a third time to select the main parameter onthe P0: Play page, such as the Program name inProgram mode.

Wherever you are in Program, Combination, orSequencer modes, pressing EXIT two times (or fewer)will take you back to Program/Combination/SongSelect, where you can immediately use the numerickeys orq/u switches to select a Program,Combination, or Song.

When a dialog box is open, this switch cancels thesettings made in the dialog box and closes the dialog box, just like pressing the Cancel button.

If a popup menu or menu is open, pressing EXIT closesthe menu.

Selecting tabs

• You can access tabbed pages by pressing the tabsshown in the bottom line of the display.

This example shows the Program T01–08 pagethrough Mixer T01–08 page of Combi P0: Play.

Selecting a parameter and editing thevalue

1. Press the parameter that you want to edit.

It will be highlighted. (This is called the “edit cell.”)

2. To modify the parameter value in the edit cell, usethe VALUE controllers (VALUE dial,q / u switches, numeric keys 0–9, – switch, (.) switch,and ENTER switch).

Note: The way in which the value will change dependson the type of parameter or object.

For example in the case of a check box object, you canswitch the value by pressing that object. You can usethe PROG SELECT switches to specify the bank for

programs etc., or hold down the ENTER switch andpress a note on the keyboard to enter a note or velocityvalue (“keyboard input”).

3. You can use knobs 1–4 to edit parameters that areassigned to the control surface.

Note: You can use the COMPARE switch to compare

the sound you’re editing with the original uneditedsound.

VALUE slider

This edits the value of the selected parameter. Thisslider is convenient when you want to make largechanges in the value, or for approximate editing.

You can also use the slider as a modulation source.

q/u switches

Use these when you wish to make small changes in thevalue.

VALUE dial

Use this dial to edit the selected parameter’s value.This control is convenient when you want to scrollthrough a very long list of selections.

Numeric keys 0–9, ENTER switch, – switch,(.) switch

These switches are convenient when you know theexact value that you want to enter. Use the 0–9, –, anddecimal (.) switches to enter the value, and then pressthe ENTER switch to confirm the entry.

The – switch inverts the sign (+/–) of the parametervalue; the decimal (.) switch inserts a decimal, forentering fractional values.

Functions that use the ENTER switch in conjunc-tion with another switch

ENTER has a few special functions when it is pressedin combination with other switches.

Whenever a parameter on the display lets you enter amusical note (such as G4 or C#2), or a velocity level,you can enter the note or velocity directly by holdingdown ENTER while playing a note on the keyboard.(This is not available in menu command dialog boxes.)

By holding down the ENTER switch while you press anumeric key (0–9), you can select up to ten menucommands from within the current page.

In Program and Combination modes, you can holddown the ENTER switch and press the SEQUENCERREC/WRITE switch to use the Auto Song Setupfunction. This imports the current Program orCombination into Sequencer mode for quick and easyrecording.

While a dialog box is displayed, the ENTER switchcorresponds to the OK button. (The EXIT switchcorresponds to the Cancel button.)

In Sequencer mode, you can hold down the ENTERswitch and press the LOCATE switch to operate themenu command Set Location.

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Other

PROG BANK A, B, C, D, E, GM/COMBI BANK A, B, C, D switches

Use these switches to change banks when selectingPrograms or Combinations. The LEDs in the switcheslight up to show the current bank.

In Program mode, these switches select the Program bank.

In Combination mode, these switches have twofunctions:

• When you’re selecting Combinations, they choosethe Combination bank.

• When you’re assigning a Program to a timbrewithin the Combination, they select the Program bank.

In Sequencer mode, when a track’s Program name isselected, these switches change the Program bank.

TEMPO knob, TAP TEMPO switchYou can set the tempo by turning the TEMPO knob or by repeatedly pressing the TAP TEMPO switch.

Control surface

For details on using the control surface to edit values,please see page 30.

COMPARE switch

You can use this switch to return the settings of anedited program, combination, or song to their originalstate. Refer to the following section.

Compare functionUse this when you wish to compare the edits you havemade to a program or combination’s sound with theun-edited original (i.e., the sound that is written intomemory).

When editing a program or combination, press thisswitch. The LED will light, and the last-written settingsfor that program number or combination number will be recalled. When you press the COMPARE switchonce again, the LED will go dark and you will return tothe settings that you were editing.

If you edit the settings that are recalled by pressing the

COMPARE switch (i.e., the settings that are writteninto memory), the LED will go dark, and it will not bepossible to return to the previous edits by pressing theCOMPARE switch again.

In Sequencer mode, you can use the COMPARE switchto make “before and after” comparisons immediatelyafter using realtime recording or step recording torecord a song, or after performing a track editoperation.

For example, this can be used effectively whenrealtime-recording a MIDI track for a song.

1. Realtime-record a MIDI track. (Take 1)

2. Once again, realtime-record on the same track.(Take 2)

3. Press the COMPARE switch. The LED will light,and take 1 will be recalled.

4. Press the COMPARE switch once again. The LEDwill go dark, and take 2 will be recalled.

5. If at step 3 you once again realtime-record on thesame track (take 3), the object of the Comparefunction will now be take 1.

6. If at step 4 you once again realtime-record on thesame track (take 3), the object of the Comparefunction will be take 2.

In this way, the Compare function lets you recall theprevious recording or the previous state of eventediting.

Not e: If you continue editing when the COMPAREswitch is lit, the switch will go dark. This now becomesthe musical data that will be selected when theCOMPARE switch is dark.

For details, please see “The Compare function” onpage 127 of the Parameter Guide.

The Compare function that brings back thesettings prior to editing is not available in Globalmode.

Selecting and executing menucommands

The utility functions provide commands that arespecific to each page, such as Write (save) or Copy. Theavailable utility functions will depend on the selectedpage.

For example, the utility functions in Program mode letyou write (save) the settings, or let you performconvenient editing operations such as copying settings between oscillators or effects, or a Sync function thatlets you edit two EGs together.

1. In the upper right of the display, press theu button.

The menu command will appear.2. Select a menu command by touching it with your

nger.

A dialog box for the selected menu command willappear.

Check-type commands will not display a dialog box;their status will be switched, and the list will close.

By holding down the ENTER switch and pressing anumeric key 0–9 you can access the dialog box for thefirst ten utility functions without going through themenu.

• If you want to close the list without selecting a

command, press the display somewhere other thanthe list, or press the EXIT switch.

3. For a parameter in a dialog box, select it bypressing it with your nger, and use the VALUEcontrollers (e.g., VALUE dial orq / u switches) toenter its value.

Menucommandbutton

Menu button

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Basic Information Using Controllers

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When selecting a program or combination number in adialog box, you can also use the BANK SELECT switchto enter the bank as an alternative to using the VALUEcontrollers.

4. To execute, press the OK button or the ENTERswitch.

If you decide not to execute, press the Cancel button orthe EXIT switch.

The dialog box will close.

Writing/saving

After editing, you should write or save your changesas necessary.

For example if you’ve edited a program, your changeswill be lost if you select another program or turn offthe power. The same applies to a combination.

Settings you edit in Global mode will be rememberedas long as the power is on, but your changes will belost when you turn off the power, unless you writethese changes into memory.

For details on the Write operations, see the followingpages.

• Programs→ p.33

• Combinations→ p.46

• Effect presets→ PG p.77

• Global settings (pages 0–4)→ p.89

• Drum kits→ p.89

• User arpeggio pattern→ p.89

• User Drum Track patterns→ PG p.208

Preset/user Drum Track patterns are saved ininternal memory even when the power is turnedoff. Patterns you create in Sequencer mode can beconverted into user Drum Track patterns and savedin internal memory.

• User template songs→ PG p.192Preset/user template songs are saved in internalmemory even when the power is turned off. Tracksettings and effect settings of a song you create can be saved in internal memory by the menucommand Save Template Song.

• For details on writing to internal memory→ p.88

Refer to the following pages for more about saving.

• Saving to media (Media– Save)→ p.91

Note: On the M50, the action of writing to internalmemory is called “Write,” and the action of saving toan SD card device is called “Save.”

Assigning a name (renaming)

You can edit the name of an edited program,combination, song, drum kit, or arpeggio pattern.

You can also change the names of the program andcombination categories.

For details, please see “Editing names” on page 91.

Using ControllersIn addition to using the keyboard, the M50 lets youcontrol the sound by using the joystick, SW1 and SW2switches, knobs 1–4, chord trigger switches, damperpedal, and foot switch or foot pedal.

These controls let you modify the tone, pitch, volume,effects, etc. in realtime as you play.

Joystick

The joystick moves in four directions: left, right, up(away from yourself), and down (towards yourself).Each of the four directions can be used to control adifferent function, such as modulating Program oreffects parameters. These assignments can be differentfor every Program, but generally, they do thefollowing:

Standard Joystick functions

Joystick Lock

The joystick will automatically return to the centerposition when you release it.

You can use the SW1/SW2 switches or a foot switchconnected to the M50 to lock the current position sothat the effect will continue even after the joystick

returns to the center position. For details, please see“Using the Lock function” on page 20.

SW1, SW2

You can use these switches to control programparameters via AMS (Alternate Modulation), or effectparameters via DMod (Dynamic Modulation).

They can also transpose the keyboard by octaves, turnportamento on/off, or to lock the position joystick.

Each switch can work as either a Toggle or Momentary switch. In Toggle mode, the assigned function isswitched between on and off each time the switch is

pressed. In Momentary mode, the assigned function isactive on only as long as you hold down the switch.

In Program mode, you can check the assignments ofSW1 and SW2 on the Prog P0: Play– Main page.

Move the joystick…

Controller

Name Normally controls…Left JS–X Pitch bend down

Right JS+X Pit

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